Giving Tuesday brings in over $30K for student scholarships

Finlandia alumni and friends donated over $30,000 for FinnU’s Giving Tuesday efforts on Dec. 1, 2020. In total, 61 donors raised $30,087 for student scholarships. This total includes the $10,000 anonymous match that kicked off the event.

“Once again, Finlandia’s friends and alumni stepped up to support student scholarships,” said President Philip Johnson. “A special thank you to the generous heart behind the anonymous $10,000 Giving Tuesday match.”

Throughout the day, donors heard from numerous students and staff about their experiences with scholarships and the opportunities they afford. Students who shared their story included freshman Jari Juntti (Nursing) from Hancock, Mich., junior Shane Voldarksi (Criminal Justice) from Ontonagon, Mich., and junior River Shumate (Accounting) from Ishpeming, Mich. All three students felt they would have been unable to attend college without the scholarships they received.

With only three hours left on Giving Tuesday, the $10,000 match had yet to be realized. In the final few hours, donors pulled together to put FinnU over the $10,000 match mark. As donations continued to trickle in via mail the following week, it became apparent that FinnU would be able to meet its $30,000 goal set for the day.

“It is especially encouraging to experience the generosity of friends and alumni knowing the demands and distractions of our current circumstances,” said Johnson.

The donations will go toward student scholarships. $30,000 can provide a number of scholarships for students including:

• Two free full-tuition Rise Together Scholarships
• Three Finnish Strong Transfer Scholarships
• Seven UP Commitment Scholarships
• 30 Visiting Scholarships

Currently,100 percent of full-time domestic students at Finlandia receive some sort of financial aid. For more information about Finlandia’s Giving Tuesday and student scholarships, please visit finlandia.edu/givingtuesday.